Dinh Bac played brilliantly, but Thai Son and Le Viktor recently tested positive for doping.

Following the recent quarter-final match against the UAE U23 team at the Asian U23 Championship, it wasn't Dinh Bac or Minh Phuc, but Thai Son and Le Viktor who were called in for doping tests, leaving netizens wondering why.

The victory against the UAE U23 team once again affirmed the remarkable progress of the Vietnam U23 team, especially in terms of physical fitness and endurance. Despite enduring a packed schedule of matches over the past six months, from the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship and the Asian U23 qualifiers to the SEA Games 33, the players have maintained consistent form and impressive stamina. This is a clear difference compared to many previous tournaments, where physical fitness was often a major weakness for Vietnamese youth teams.

According to the Vice President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Tran Anh Tu, this achievement stems from the systematic and scientific preparation of the coaching staff. Coach Kim Sang-sik paid special attention to physical training, alongside perfecting technical and tactical skills. As a result, the players not only had the stamina to maintain a high intensity of play, but were also able to make a difference in crucial moments of the match.

Notably, immediately after the quarter-final match concluded, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted random doping tests in accordance with regulations. The two players selected this time were Nguyen Thai Son and Le Viktor. Previously, in the tournament, many other names such as Xuan Bac, Nguyen Dinh Bac, and even Nguyen Phi Hoang – despite not playing – were also required to undergo testing. This is a routine activity, as the organizing committee has the right to randomly select one or two players from each team after each match.

The quarter-final match between Vietnam U23 and UAE U23 truly became an emotional feast for Asian football fans, with a dramatic scenario right up to the last minute. This was no match for the faint of heart, as both teams constantly exchanged blows, pushing the tension to its highest level throughout the more than 120 minutes of play. With courage and unwavering determination, Coach Kim Sang-sik's players brilliantly secured a 3-2 victory, officially booking their place in the semi-finals of the tournament.

From the very first minutes, the Vietnam U23 team showed great determination. Their proactive pressing style, fierce midfield battles, and confident attacking play allowed the red-shirted team to quickly put pressure on the UAE U23 team's half. However, the West Asian representatives were not an easy opponent to subdue.

The moment of triumph came in the 101st minute, when Pham Minh Phuc became the hero with the decisive goal, securing a 3-2 victory for Vietnam U23. This goal was not only significant in terms of the score, but also a clear testament to the never-give-up fighting spirit of the young Vietnamese players, even when their physical strength was depleted after more than 100 minutes of intense play.

Currently, the Vietnam U23 team is temporarily putting aside their victory to focus on the match between Uzbekistan U23 and China U23, taking place at 6:30 PM tonight (January 17th), in order to determine their opponent in the semi-finals. Regardless of the opponent, the journey so far shows that the Vietnam U23 team has every right to dream bigger, with belief, courage, and a desire to conquer new heights.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's "magic" revealed in the 90th minute: one sentence awakened the U23 team? Trần Mạn08:19:16 17/01/2026According to a post by a fan in the stands during the quarter-final match against UAE, in the 90th minute, coach Kim Sang Sik uttered a shocking statement. This reveals the vision and strategy of this talented coach.